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University policy regarding campus free speech
- Purpose. In affirmation of the principles of free speech stated in Ohio law, including but not limited to section 3345.0215 of the Revised Code, the university affirms that:
- Students have a fundamental constitutional right to free speech.
- The university is committed to giving students broad latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, learn, and discuss any issue, to the extent provided by law.
- The university is committed to maintaining a marketplace of ideas for all students and all faculty in which the free exchange of ideas is not to be suppressed because the ideas put forth are thought by some or even by most members of the university’s community to be offensive, unwise, immoral, indecent, disagreeable, conservative, liberal, traditional, radical, or wrong-headed.
- It is for students and faculty to make judgments about ideas for themselves, and to act on those judgments not by seeking to suppress free speech, but by openly and vigorously contesting the ideas that they oppose.
- It is not the proper role of the university to attempt to shield individuals from free speech, including ideas and opinions they find offensive, unwise, immoral, indecent, disagreeable, conservative, liberal, traditional, radical, or wrong-headed.
- Although the university greatly values civility and mutual respect, concerns about civility and mutual respect shall never be used by the university as a justification for closing off the discussion of ideas, however offensive, unwise, immoral, indecent, disagreeable, conservative, liberal, traditional, radical, or wrong-headed those ideas may be to some students or faculty.
- Although all students and all faculty are free to state their own views about and contest the views expressed on campus, and to state their own views about and contest speakers who are invited to express their views on campus, they may not substantially obstruct or otherwise substantially interfere with the freedom of others to express views they reject or even loathe. To this end, the university has a responsibility to promote a lively and fearless freedom of debate and deliberation and protect that freedom.
- The university is committed to providing an atmosphere that is most conducive to speculation, experimentation, and creation by all students and all faculty, who shall always remain free to inquire, to study and to evaluate, and to gain new understanding.
- The primary responsibility of faculty is to engage an honest, courageous, and persistent effort to search out and communicate the truth that lies in the areas of their competence.
- Eligibility. Any student, student group, or faculty member may submit a complaint about an alleged violation by an employee of the university established under this section, including any penalty imposed on a student’s grade for an assignment or coursework that is unrelated to ordinary academic standards of substance and relevance, including any legitimate pedagogical concerns, and is instead based on the contents of student’s free speech.
- Violations. The division of student affairs, the division of human resources, and the office of the provost, as applicable, shall be responsible for administering this policy, including determining policy violations and issuing resolutions designed to address violations and aid in preventing further violations.
Policy Effective Date:
Jan 01, 2023